Breaking the Silence: Global Campaign Highlights Long-Ignored Male Victims of Violence and Abuse

PRESS RELEASE

Rebecca Hain: +1-513-479-3335

Breaking the Silence: Global Campaign Highlights Long-Ignored Male Victims of Violence and Abuse

WASHINGTON / November 21, 2022 – The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Men (IDEVAM) was observed on November 18 in countries around the world (1). The event was coordinated by the Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance (2).

On November 17, a global Twitter campaign was launched to promote the hashtag, #StopViolenceOnMen. Over 36,000 tweets were sent out over a four-day period. In India, the #StopViolenceOnMen hashtag trended, ranking in ninth place among all hashtags (3).

The culmination of the campaign was an international press conference held on November 18 in which panelists from the United States, United Kingdom, and India provided perspectives on domestic violence and abuse against men.

Local observances and media events were held in Argentina, Australia, India, Ireland, Lithuania, Northern Ireland, Peru, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States.

In India, the All Bengal Men’s Forum sponsored a week-long series of events. The activities included visits to the Governor of West Bengal; Consulates of US, UK, Germany, Korea, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Russia; and presentation of a press release about Elimination of Violence against Men Day on November 18 and International Men’s Day on November 19. (4)

Overall, the observance garnered extensive media coverage. Six editorials were written and 12 press releases were distributed. In addition, three videos were produced (3).

Research confirms that around the world, women are equally likely as men to engage in domestic violence (5). This was confirmed during the trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, which revealed that on numerous occasions, Heard was physically and psychologically abusive of Depp. In one incident, Heard hurled a glass at Depp, severing the end of his finger (6).

But male victims often are re-victimized by ridicule and disbelief. After one of her abusive incidents, Amber Heard taunted Depp by saying, “Tell them, ‘I, Johnny Depp, a man, I’m a victim of domestic abuse’ and see how many people believe or side with you.”

False allegations are a common form of domestic abuse (7). In the United Kingdom, Kirsty Barr made repeated false claims against her boyfriend, portraying him as an abusive “monster.” As a result, he spent 56 days in jail for crimes he did not commit. After years of legal battles, the woman’s accusations were finally exposed. Last month, Barr was sentenced to three years and nine months for her vengeful false reports (8).

The Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance calls on governments around the world to assure male victims of violence and abuse are able to access services and legal assistance.

The Domestic Abuse and Violence International Alliance – DAVIA — consists of 71 member organizations from 28 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. DAVIA seeks to ensure that domestic violence and abuse polices are science-based, family-affirming, and sex-inclusive.

Citations: